The 108th stated meeting of the Presbytery of the James was held virtually. Some of the leaders were warmly welcomed to Tuckahoe and Lakeside Church was a second site where leaders hosted portions of the meeting. Teaching Elder Patrick Dennis, moderator, called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. and led the presbytery in prayer.
Thanks to generous support from this Presbytery, this fall, I will be welcoming my 11th small church ministry intern to work and learn with us in Ashland. As a regular part of the internship, I assign students a book written by my seminary colleague Steve Willis called, “Imagining the Small Church: Celebrating a Simpler Path.”
The Committee on Nominations is beginning its process to consider candidates to serve as the 2022 vice moderator of the Presbytery of the James. I am asking your help in bringing to our attention possible nominees who, in your opinion, would provide effective service in this important position. As in past years, we expect the vice
The 108th stated meeting will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, June 15, beginning at 9:30 a.m. This memo outlines the plans that have been developed and the steps that you and your church’s Commissioners should pursue to become fully prepared for the meeting. General Meeting Information Meeting Via Zoom Registration Tips Before the Meeting Tips
A new national program is helping congregations strengthen their educational ministry. The Presbyterian Church (USA) supports excellence in this ministry through certifying its professional educators. The certification process establishes standards that an educator must achieve through a rigorous program of study and evaluation. The certified Christian educator program, however, is not easily accessible to many
If the pandemic has taught us anything, we have realized what it means to steward all that God has entrusted into our care. We are caretakers of people, services, places, and resources, each deeply impacted by the changes of the past year. As we reflect on this time, consider the areas of Stewardship below and
Four Presbytery of the James churches have been certified as 2021 Earth Care Congregations by the Presbyterian Hunger Program. This honor speaks to the great commitment the congregations have made to care for God’s earth. POJ honorees are Bon Air Church, Madison Church, Second Church in Richmond, and Westminster Church in Charlottesville. They are among
POJ’s Public Policy Witness (PPW) Ministry encourages clergy and congregations to engage in policy advocacy at local and state levels. For eight years, this ministry has worked with partners to promote affordable health care, public safety and prevention of gun violence, living wages, and accessible public transportation. Over the last year the ministry also has
In advance of reading this Easter message, please read Acts 10:34-43. One commentator has said that these nine verses in Acts 10, Peter’s sermon to the Roman centurion Cornelius and his family, are the finest summary of the gospel. I call it the “crux” of the gospel. The thesaurus gives the following synonyms for “crux”: root,
This time of pandemic has been a period of uncertainty and waiting. Waiting for healing, and direction, and answers, for ourselves, our congregations, and for Camp Hanover. Throughout this time, Camp Hanover, its staff, and the Board of Directors have remained hopeful. Through that hope this ministry has continued to grow and transform lives even